Lazio director of football Igli Tare will reportedly travel to the World Cup to get a closer look at Grujic in action.

Reports claim the Serie A club want Grujic on a permanent deal but Liverpool may well only play ball with a loan. If Lazio are happy with that, they'll then have to convince Jurgen Klopp that a move to Italy is the right switch at this stage of the midfielder's career.

Staying with Liverpool and young talents who have previously interested Boro, Leeds are reportedly interested in signing Ryan Kent on loan.

Hutton is said to be keen to stay at Villa Park and is reportedly willing to take a pay-cut, but Forest are hopeful of luring him across the Midlands for what would be a second spell at the City Ground.

Alan Hutton and Adama Traore

With Eric Lichaj poised to join Hull, Karanka is on the look-out a right-back. Forest legend Garry Birtles thinks Hutton would be a good signing for the club.

In his column for the Post, he writes: "He’s experienced, he can play right and left-back, and he helped Aston Villa reach the play-off final last month – you need players like that. If he does come, he could turn out to be a decent acquisition in that sense, being able to help out some of the younger lads and pass on his knowledge of what the Championship is about.

"He made 33 appearances last season so the Villa manager, Steve Bruce, obviously saw something in him.

"I know some people might be concerned about him being 33, especially as Forest have also signed Michael Dawson, who's 34. I’m sure there will be some who worry about it possibly being an older back line.

"But if there’s one area of the pitch where age doesn’t matter so much, it’s in defence. I know, because I played centre-half at the end of my career.

"Sometimes it’s about brains, not about legs. Sometimes it’s about how you position yourself and where you stand to cut out any danger. You learn that throughout your career, so being a bit older can have its benefits.

"As long as you’ve got pace elsewhere in the team, it doesn’t have to be a problem."

Read More

Which area should be the priority for Tony Pulis in the transfer market this summer?

5000+ VOTES SO FAR

Huth to Boro odds slashed

Odds on a player's next club are a strange beast.

In a market that is very easily influenced, a few quid here and there can result in a drastic swing in the odds.

Anyhow, it's worth pointing out that SkyBet have Robert Huth as odds on to join Boro this summer.

The German defender is on the lookout for a club having been released by Leicester City at the end of last season.

According to SkyBet, Huth is 4/6 to rejoin Boro with Stoke, Aston Villa, Derby and West Brom next in the running.

The 33-year-old is an excellent defender at his best and played a pivotal role in Leicester's remarkable title winning success, but he didn't play a single game for the Foxes last season due to injury.

Read More

What's happening elsewhere?

First things first, Rangers have today completed the signing of centre-half Connor Goldson from Brighton.

What on earth has that got to do with Boro? Very possibly nothing, but it may well mean Steven Gerrard decides against pursuing James Collins, who has also been linked with Boro.

Bristol City are reportedly demanding £10m from relegated West Brom for Bobby Reid.

Talking of West Brom, the Mirror say they have received a £25m bid from Burnley for Craig Dawson and Jay Rodriguez.

Fulham are reportedly in talks to sign Swansea striker Jordan Ayew. The Cottagers have also been boosted in their chase of ex-Boro left-back Joe Bennett after Cardiff completed the signing of Greg Cunningham from Preston.